Boundary survey (deslinde / levantamiento topográfico)

A licensed survey with coordinates (UTM), boundaries, area and, ideally, contours.

Why it matters

It confirms that what you're buying matches the deed and Catastro. Planning offices require a polygon plan for land-use filings.

Who helps

A surveyor with a professional license (cédula profesional).

Documents

• Deed, cadastral plan, and access to the site.

Costs Estimate

• Not regulated.

Estimates only. Get written quotes.

Common mistakes

• A boundary-only survey isn't enough for design. Ask for 0.25–0.50 m contours.
• Unresolved overlaps with neighbors.
• Permit offices want the survey in UTM coordinates (ITRF92 or WGS84) with a KMZ file and an Excel coordinate table; ask the surveyor for these up front.

Say it in Spanish

• Necesito un levantamiento topográfico con coordenadas UTM y curvas de nivel.
  I need a topographic survey with UTM coordinates and contours.

Terms

• Catastro / clave catastral

Confirm the details for your case with your notario or attorney.